Introduction
Do you often feel irritable or angry for no obvious reason? Are you suffering from reoccurring nervousness & anxiousness for no obvious reason? Do you regurgitate a negative thought or emotion often? Do you compulsively hide how you really feel? Then you may be in need of Shadow Work. Welcome to the fourth blog entry into our Shadow Work Blog Series. If you are not sure what “Shadow Work” is or if it’s right for you, please read the previous blog entries. Today, we are discussing shadow work tools & prompts. These are products & journal prompts that I personally recommend. I am not affiliated with the makers of the products nor do I receive any commissions for these products.
Crystals
Many of you know the healing properties and magic crystals hold. Crystals can make shadow work easier as they serve to support and comfort you through the process. Different crystals hold different metaphysical properties. “Metaphysical properties” is a phrase frequently used to describe the belief that gemstones carry the power to create direct spiritual, supernatural & physical changes in people & their environments. The crystals recommended for shadow work have the metaphysical properties of turning inward, cleansing the aura, facing shadow, balancing light & dark, providing comfort & safety. You can use them by simply carrying them with you, holding one as you journal or meditating with them. Here is a list of some crystals I recommend.
- Selenite
- Snowflake Obsidian
- Labradorite
- Smoky Quartz
- Moonstone
- Polarity Moonstone
- Zebra Jasper
- Black Tourmaline
- Obsidian
- Onyx
- Rose Quartz
- Lapis Lazuli
- Amethyst
- Hematite
- Silver Sheen Obsidian
- Picasso Jasper
- Indigo Gabbro
- Black Moonstone
- Mahogany Obsidian
Aura Cleansing
As you are uncovering and learning your shadow I highly recommend preforming aura cleansings regularly. After uncovering those suppressed emotions these emotions may pollute your aura (energy field). Your energy field influences your thoughts, feelings, and even actions. You want your aura to be as clear as possible with supporting and loving energy. Cleansing your aura can elevate your mind body and soul. Here are some aura cleansing methods and tools.
- Smudging. Smudging is a great way to cleanse your energetic field using the smoke from a burned herb. Different herbs hold different metaphysical properties just like crystals do. When purchasing, please make sure the smudge bundles are ethically & responsibly sourced.
- White Sage: purifies, removes negativity.
- Palo Santo: clearing negativity, brings a closer connection to self, aids in physical healing, super grounding energy.
- Cedar: drives out negativity while bringing the good influences in.
- Dragons Blood: cleanses & purifies, protection, feminine healing.
- Yerba Santa: self-love, self-care, protection, courage, spiritual strength, healing, finding your innermost self.
- Ritual Baths. Rituals baths are a blend of salts, herbs, and essential oils (sometimes crystals) corresponding with your intent. I recommend combining these bath mixes in an organza bag for easy clean up. Here is a recipe I recommend.
- Half cup of epson salt
- One Fourth cup of Himalayan pink salt
- 3 tablespoons dried rose petals
- 2 tablespoons lavender
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- Palo santo essential oil (5 drops)
- Rose Quartz
- Smudge Sprays. Here is another great option for those who cannot tolerate the smoke from smudge bundles. Smudge sprays are a concoction of water an essential oils. These get sprayed in your aura & can also be used to cleanse spiritual items and rooms. I always add crystal chips to my concoctions to amplify the metaphysical properties. Here is a great aura cleansing spray recipe.
- One third Moon Water (water charged by the moon) or Purified Water
- One third Witch Hazel
- One third Florida Water
- White sage essential oils (2 drops) (optional)
- Clear Quartz crystal chips (optional)
- Frequency Music. This type of aura cleansing is done by listening to music at a certain frequency. There are so many different frequency music on YouTube. Its simple, you just listen to the music and let it vibrate through your energetic field. Some meditate while doing this from an amplified affect. Now I want to give a little disclaimer here, frequencies affect people differently & may cause some sensory issues to those more sensitive. Here are some frequencies I recommend.
- 852 Hz – Helps you return to balance
- 417 Hz – Cleanses negativity & removes subconscious blockages
- 396 Hz – Transforms grief & sadness into joy & guilt into forgiveness
- 285 Hz – Heals energy field
Shadow Work Journals
If you’re doing shadow work, you’re going to want a journal. A journal will help you log your experiences, let out suppressed emotions, monitor your progress. You can do this with a blank notebook & search journal prompts online for you to use once a day. You could also purchase one online that has prompts and writing exercises in it already. The one I recommend is pictured above. This has been a trending book & has been seen all over social media with great reviews. You can find it on Amazon listed with a few other great options. Here are some links to ones I recommend.
- https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Work-Journal-Integrate-Transcend/dp/B09KN2QCML/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=shadow+work+journal&qid=1697736137&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
- https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Work-Journal-2nd-Integrate/dp/B0BW31X61X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=shadow+work+journal&qid=1697736312&sr=8-1
- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKB3PZWP/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0CKB3PZWP&pd_rd_w=H0chy&content-id=amzn1.sym.eb7c1ac5-7c51-4df5-ba34-ca810f1f119a&pf_rd_p=eb7c1ac5-7c51-4df5-ba34-ca810f1f119a&pf_rd_r=D5P47F6AHG9P6PYAKBZ2&pd_rd_wg=hRP2O&pd_rd_r=6d0e4ad4-bc80-480b-bf94-c5f68cb1f8a3&s=books&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw
- https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Work-Journal-Practical-Addressing/dp/B0CK3VCSLL/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=shadow+work+journal&qid=1697736312&sr=8-9
Shadow Work Journal Prompts
As promised last week, I will be adding shadow work journal prompts here. I am a firm believer in journaling and have various amounts of journals. I literally have a journal for every part of my life. Dreams, spiritual awakenings, spiritual practices, spells, reiki healing, literally everything. Here are some shadow work journal prompts you can incorporate in your journaling experience.
- What is your biggest struggle with loving yourself?
- What is one compliment you struggle to accept about yourself?
- What do you need to start saying “YES” to?
- What do you need to start saying “NO” to?
- Consider any anger you carry. What other emotions are tied in that emotion?
- If you could say one thing to the person who has hurt you the most, what would it be & why?
- What labels or identifiers do I have about myself?
- If I wrote a book about my life, what would the title be?
- What are 5 ways I changed in the last 5 years?
- What are some of the ways I seek external validation to avoid facing my shadow?
- How have I been getting in my own way lately?
- How would you describe yourself to a stranger?
- What are my core values and how do they influence my behavior?
- What are you most afraid of others finding out about you?
- What are some of the ways I engage in self-punishing behaviors?
- How are some of the ways I judge or criticize myself?
- Are you holding any grudges against someone? Why haven’t you been able to let go of the resentment?
- What is the biggest opportunity you missed out on and wish you didn’t?
- What is the most beautiful thing anyone could say to you?